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Not Bedtime for Deadtime ...

Deadtime Stories Interview with Nicola “Nix” Crichton

Sleazy twisted glam described as “the most chaotic, fucked up, dangerously unhinged band to have ever terrorized the toilet-tour stages of the world” by Riot Promotions, past supports to Girlschool, Robin Black and LA Guns and with songs such as “Love Rat”, “Star Attraction” and “Another Dead Rock Star” - meet Deadtime Stories ... if you haven’t already.

Unfortunately I never got to see Deadtime Stories in what the band refers to as their ‘prime’ Deadtime years ... but the stories on and off stage (without giving too much away) are quite possibly legendary from what I’ve heard (I point towards images and stories from both the promoters and the bands from the Heart Throb tour in 2005). Maybe even quite ‘Still Crazy’ like. After a couple of line up changes, they’re back with their own brand of good time rock n' roll and they’re playing Trash-Stock 07 in Nottingham.

Jay (vocals), Stevey (bass), Ian (guitar) and Kris (rhythm guitar) have a natter with us about the return of Deadtime Stories, how it started, being spontaneous, Trash-Stock and the “Turd of Doom”.

Nix: Deadtime Stories are back! Give us a history lesson?
Stevey: Well we started up in early 2003 I think. The merging of 2 bands. Danny (original drummer) and Jay were in a band called Cathouse 69, and Ian and myself were in a band called "Equinox". We've had quite a few line up changes over the years. Sadly Danny was unable to commit to this reunion so Mark from Abigails Mercy has kindly stepped in, and we welcome the return of Kris on rhythm guitar.

Nix: How did you come up with the name?
Jay: Stevey our bass player suggested it. It’s the last track on the Demolition 23 album. We've always been big fans of Michael Monroe's stuff.

Nix: What type of fan is a Deadtime Stories fan?
Stevey: One that needs to be strapped back into their straitjacket at the end of the night! We have a cool loyal following. Well they would have to be loyal and insane to put up with us lot!

Nix: Who are your greatest influences or what are your inspirations?

Jay: Well Alice Cooper and Robin Black would be mine. Robin is one of the best fucking frontmen I've ever seen in the business. Ian our lead guitarist loves the decent guitar players like Eddie Van Halen and Bernie Torme. Stevey probably has the most varied tastes and diversity, Goth, glam, punk, if it rocks he likes it!! He also does a cool Lemmy impression! Kris loves the sleazy stuff like The Quireboys and The Dogs D'Amour

Nix: I heard you're an UBER Alice Cooper fan ... you've also been in a few AC tribute bands?
Jay: Yeah I've been in 3 over the past 10 years. It was great fun to do, and we did a full horror show. Sadly we never made much money from it, but it was an honour to play The Coop, and I guess you can still see the influence in my voice and stage mannerisms

Nix: You're doing Trash-Stock this year in Nottingham, how did that come about and what should people expect from your set?
Jay: Well originally the guitarist in Stevey's other band (Abigails Mercy) is getting married, and asked us if we would like to reform just to play the wedding. After exchange of a substantial amount of money (spot the lie) we said yes. It was either us or Showaddywaddy!
Jaimz and Michelle heard of this, and asked us to play Trash-Stock. Being one of the first bands they ever booked, we could not say no to gracing J7's stage one last time! The only thing can be expected during a DTS set is the unexpected ... simple as that!

Nix: Best gig?
Ian: It would have to be the last night of the Heart Throb Tour at Bradford Rios. I only saw the video of that show a few months ago and thought "Holy Shit ... we will never top that performance".

Nix: Worst gig?
Kris: Literally just playing to the sound engineer at this venue over the arse end of brum back in 2004. Promoter never put our posters up and did fuck all publicity! But I suppose we got a free practice out of it

Nix: Any interesting road stories?
Jay: Well we would still like to know who deposited the "Turd of doom" in the Heart Throb tour bus toilet. The bog was knackered to begin with! I remember being in there, being totally overcome by the stench and I punched the wall panel in anger. It swung open and there was tons of air freshener in there ... amazing what a tantrum can bring sometimes!

Nix: Any strange fans?
Stevey: All of them! Although I do remember that when we split back in 2005, one of our Nottingham fans was that devastated, he refused to speak to his wife for a week!

Nix: Favourite song you play live?
Jay: “What You See Is What You Get”
Stevey: “One Night Stand”
Ian: “Star Attraction”
Kris: “Carnival Of Chaos”

Nix: What advice would you give to any rock band starting out?
Stevey: Be Careful What You Sign!
Jay: Stuck for a band name? Go through some of the song titles from your favourite bands ... worked for us!

Nix: Any bands that have caught your eye at the moment?
Stevey: We are really pleased that our good buddies "New Generation Superstars" are getting the reviews and praise they deserve. They fucking rock!
Jay: I'm really looking forward to sharing the stage with the likes of The Sparkling Bombs, The Pleasures and Sign.

Nix: What do you think of the current 'rock scene'?
Stevey: Is there one?
Jay: There are soooo many decent bands out there that deserve much more recognition. But Emo and Nu Metal shit still prevails.

Nix: What are the plans for Deadtime Stories for the rest of this year?
Jay: We've started writing some new stuff, so maybe a new EP at the end of the year. But Deadtime don't make plans, we are spontaneous ... and thats how the fans like us to be!

Check out the Official Deadtime Stories MySpace www.myspace.com/deadtimestories They’re playing the second day of Trash-Stock, so don’t miss them!

Words by Nix, images courtesy of DTS MySpace.